Thursday, August 12, 2010

Two Bean Salad


In my quest to cut carbs and reduce the "blog roll" (meaning my increasing waistline due to my recent carb loaded blog writing!) that is causing my jeans to fit a tad snugger than I would like, I reached for an old favorite.  Two Bean Salad has been a "go-to" salad recipe for as long as I can remember.  I think it was loosely based on a recipe I found in a magazine years and years ago, but it has evolved into something that is all mine.   My neighbors have all had it numerous times and many of them even make their own versions.  

Something about the combination of these ingredients and how the flavors meld together makes my mouth water.  Sometimes I serve it as a side and love that it goes with nearly whatever I am serving, or frequently I simply serve it over warm brown rice for a meatless, summer meal... perfect for when that summer heat is overwhelming (not that I know what that feels like this year!!).

However you choose to serve it, I hope that you enjoy it as much as I do.  A little taste of summer in a bowl always does wonders for the senses!

Two Bean Salad

1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can cannellini beans rinsed
1 small red onion, diced
1 - 2 Persian cucumbers, diced
1 - 2 cloves garlic
2 Tbs good quality olive oil
3 Tbs balsamic vinegar

Mix all ingredients together and season with salt and pepper if desired.  Serve alone or over brown rice.

Note:  My friend Darlene serves this with red kidney beans in place of the cannellini beans.  Another friends makes it with garbanzo beans and tosses in sun dried tomatoes.  I'd love to hear your version if you make it too!

14 comments:

  1. Man! I should follow your example! Please post more no-carb recipes to inspire me!

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  2. This looks light and refreshing and not to mention healthy. I love bean salads and love the photos too (=

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  3. Sara... I'm working on it!

    Lisa, thanks!

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  4. I'm hoping Blog Roll is a kind way of saying muffin top! I need to make this too, it looks so good!
    -Gina-

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  5. Yes Gina... that's exactly what I meant! In a prior post (I forget everyone isn't reading everything!) I mentioned that since I've been writing this blog I've caved in to all the breads, cookies, cakes, etc causing everything to fit ever so slightly tighter. Either that or the dryer is on way too high!

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  6. This is right up my alley. So simple. Thanks! =)

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  7. HA! Love it! Blog roll = muffin top. I'm on asimilar low carb/high protein sort of diet these days as well, so most of my recipes lately have been in that vein as well. The blog just kills you, eh?

    I could def see myself turning to this salad for a nice lunch, though. Simplicity at its best!

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  8. Thanks Gina! It's always the one I turn to when my husband is out of town... easy to put together and satisfying.

    BB, yep! You should have heard me explaining the term "blog roll" to my husband (a non blogger!). I had the salad for a perfectly satisfying lunch myself today!

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  9. This is just the type of salads I love! Delicious! I just got rid of my blog 'roll' by eating like this.

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  10. Ooo I like simple and I'm starting to like beans! I need to get rid of my blog roll too but first I need a new dryer so it stops shrinking my clothes... :(

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  11. Carbs...ugh. I'm trying to head more towards the veggies and fruits too, but unfortunately many of the fruits are connected to pastry or cake. :) Your salad looks incredible.

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  12. I think the way you make it is just perfect!

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  13. Reeni - I love these kind of salads too. I could eat them every day!

    Dionne, if you get a good dryer rec., let me know... darn hot dryers!

    Mom Chef, I love carbs... totally understand about the fruits being connected to all those darn pastries. At least we are getting our 5 a day in!

    Thanks Tiffany!

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  14. Oh man this looks delicious! And your photographs are beautiful! Everything here looks great!
    I recently launched my own blog, I'd love for you to check it out and let me know what you think! :) Thanks!
    www.prettygoodfood.com

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